Are you tired of that persistent perfume smell? Are you exhausted with people coughing up a storm wherever you go? Or is it you who’s sensitive to such fragrance?

No one is interested in smelling like a perfume store or giving people respiratory problems. That is why knowing how to get the smell of perfume out of your clothes is essential. Whether you’re sensitive to fragrance, tired of that particular scent, or it’s in excess, this is for you.

In this guide, you will find out how to remove that persistent perfume smell from your clothes with and without washing.

Also, if you’re looking for ways to get the smell out of dry–clean–only clothes, that’s possible too. All this can be done from the comfort of your house with household ingredients!

All About Perfumes

Perfumes are as necessary to some as food. People include them in their budget once they find the scents they love. Perfumes have existed for way longer than can be imagined. The headiest scents are those from natural sources like fruits and flowers.

As technology advances, perfumes are produced in more complex processes with huge machines and thousands of people in a factory. Whatever desired ingredients are chosen from each company it is mixed with alcohol and water.

These solutions are packed in bottles of varying shapes and sizes and are usually more expensive depending on how long they’re left to age.

Typically, perfumes are sprayed on the skin, so whether or not they touch your garment, they will linger on them. This is why your clothes smell like your perfume long after they’ve been taken off. And some vehemently refuse to get out, all your efforts in vain.

Some try to mask the old fragrance with a new one, but it worsens it because the two can mix and give off one big awful smell. Instead of ruining your clothes, there are better ways to eliminate that previous perfume smell.

How to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

There are various ways to get this smell out of your favorite clothes, and they are all quite easy. Usually, the alcohol and preservatives are the reason the odor lingers. However, that odor can be neutralized with basic items at home.

1. Air the Clothes to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

Thankfully, air does not have to be bought. You can hang your clothes on a clothesline outside. This allows the surrounding plants to absorb the odor from your clothes.

It can be left out depending on how heavily scented the clothes are or the owner’s sensitivity. In that case, it can range from mere hours to days.

The air does a fine job removing scents–perfume included– but not everybody has that opportunity depending on the area’s climate.

In that case, you can hang the clothes indoors, but ensure it is sunlit and a fan is in the area. Also, if there are plants in the room where it is spread, it’ll do it some good.

2. Baking Soda Presoak to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

Baking soda is a household staple. Be it for cleaning the house, washing clothes, getting stains out of clothes, or removing pungent scents; baking soda is the tool.

Usually, this ingredient sits comfortably in everybody’s house, but if you’re an exception, you better get some. You can be assured that this is not the last time you will use it. It can be found in nearby stores.

You will need a bucket, which can be done in your sink if you prefer, some warm water, and your baking soda. Let’s get to work!

Fill up your soaking vessel, bucket, or sink with warm water. Add one cup of baking soda. Then, fully submerge the clothing in question in this solution. Once again, the length of the soak depends heavily on how saturated the scent is. It could be just a day or a few days.

Take it out when you’re ready and wash the clothing as you normally would. Ensure you use an unscented non–toxic detergent, like a natural liquid detergent.

This is better suited for your laundry. For that good luck charm, you can also add baking soda to the wash. Repeat as often as necessary.

3. Add Vinegar to the Rinse Cycle to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

Just so you know, in place of baking soda in the wash, you can add vinegar. However, using the baking soda technique, you can rinse with distilled white vinegar. Vinegar is another household staple that is excellent in fighting odors.

As wash your clothes with the appropriate detergent in the washer, pause the cycle. Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in the fabric softener dispenser and continue the cycle

Ensure you follow through with another rinse cycle to eliminate the vinegar smell. Vinegar will help to get through the odor and your clothes will be free of the perfume fragrance in no time.

4. Lemon Juice Prewash to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

Lemon juice is another great combatant of odors and scents due to its acidity. They are tested and tried to get that persistent smell out of your favorite clothes. This method requires a spray bottle.

All you have to do is create a 1:1 mixture of lemon juice and water. This means that you should let the two ingredients be in equal amounts. Ensure you do not mess up the measurements. It’ll be better to use a measuring cup for accuracy.

Then pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the clothes with the solution, especially the most saturated areas. This is usually the armpit and neck areas. Allow this to rest on the clothes for about 30 minutes. You can use a brush to spread the solution so it soaks deep into the fibers.

Now, put the garment in the washing machine with an unscented laundry detergent. You can add baking soda if you want. Wash as you normally would.

5. Dry the Clothes to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

After washing clean, another way to ensure the scent is completely gone is to spread them out to dry in the sunlight and air. Because sunlight causes dark-colored clothes to fade, it’ll be better to spread those in the clothesline under a shade. The fresh air will cleanse any remaining smells.

Again, a cloth dryer can be used for those who cannot spread theirs in the sun. It’s usually not recommended because if there are any remaining smells, it’ll cause it to rest more on the fabric.

However, if you did one of the above properly, this would not be a problem. Just ensure you use a low temperature. setting.

6. Odor Remover Clothes Spray to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

This spray is useful but should be a last resort if there’s inadequate time for the above methods. odor remover sprays, like Febreeze, help to mask and remove smells from clothes just as the name informs. The sprays trap the odor molecules so they don’t leave the clothes and permeate the air.

All that needs to be done is, spray across the clothes, both in and out. Then wait for a few months for the spray to die. This freshens up clothes immediately and removes the perfume smell. Quick and easy if you’re on the go!

7. Store with Baking soda to Get Perfume Smell out of Clothes

This is a very important note to remember. Never store clothes that have a perfume smell on them.

If it smells of perfume now, imagine what it’ll smell like after being enclosed for days, weeks, or months. Heavily saturated perfume, that’s what. And it’ll be even harder to remove then.

So, if you wear an article of clothing and are ready to turn it in for the season, ensure it is properly washed first. If there’s no time on your hands to go through a thorough washing process, there’s another way to go.

Get a plastic tub with a functioning lid or a heavy-duty plastic bag. Place a box of baking soda in them and put the clothes soon after.

That’s how it should be stored till the next year you’re ready to wear it. The baking soda will absorb all odors. This ensures that the perfume scent does not settle into the fabric.

How to Remove Perfume Smell From Dryclean– Only Clothes

Of course, the methods of removing the perfume smell from dry–clean–only clothes are different. Since they are delicate, moisture–based techniques, like soaking, are not the best but will instead leave them saturated in moisture.

You can opt for gentler ways to handle them. These methods can also work on fabrics you don’t have enough time to wash.

If you want to know if your garment is dry clean –only or not, just check the care label. This prevents you from making mistakes that’ll cost you.

1. Air-dry your clothes

Once again, free fresh air and sunlight save the day! Spreading your clothes outside on the clothesline is in no way harmful to your clothes.

If you have a porch or a hanger and no clothesline, air them there. You can even put them by a window inside; just ensure adequate sunlight and ventilation is available.

Don’t rush it. Let them sit in the sun for a day or more. It all depends on the heaviness of the scent. Even if this step is not completely effective, it’ll be a base for another method.

2. Use the Baking Soda and Scent Absorbers

Unlike your machine-wash clothes, you do not soak the scented clothes with baking soda this time. Remember, no moisture-based methods are allowed for these garments. Baking soda is an extremely powerful odor remover that also works when dry.

Remove all the other clothes from your wardrobe or closet. Sprinkle the baking soda at the bottom. Then, put in the scented clothes and let them rest for three days at least.

This same method can also be done with scrunched-up newspapers. Those are also good scent absorbers, like baking soda. They attract and neutralize scents naturally.

If your wardrobe is not available, a paper bag can be used. Sprinkle the baking soda at the bottom. Then, place a newspaper on top of it. You can put in your scented clothes. Carefully toll the open top closed. Ensure it’s airtight, then take it shut. Let it sit for a day, at least.

This can also be done in a plastic bag, albeit faster. Sprinkle the baking soda in the bag. Throw your clothes in and shake vigorously while closed.

Allow the clothes to sit for 10 minutes, then take out your clothes. Take out your clothes and be on your way. Either of these three ways is foolproof.

3. Use Vodka

You can’t go wrong with vodka when it comes to laundry. It has been unprofessionally named a household laundry staple. And not even the expensive kind, the cheap one is just fine! You don’t even need to dilute the alcohol; just get a spray bottle because you’ll need it here.

Pour your alcohol into your spray bottle. Before you go all out, test the alcohol on a hidden part of the fabric to ensure it does not affect it, and it’s compatible. Then spray it all over the garment, particularly the stinky areas. Air-dry it, and you’re good to go!

4. Use Vinegar or Lemon juice

These two ingredients have been highlighted above, but how it is used for dry-clean-only clothes differs. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to one cup of water for the lemon juice solution. And for the vinegar, create a 1:1 solution of distilled white Vinegar and water.

Put them in a spray bottle, whichever you choose, and spritz them over the scented areas. They get out their smells in no time.

Frequently Answered Questions

Can I Remove the Perfume Smell from My Clothes by Washing them with Laundry Soap?

Yes, you can. It depends on how heavily saturated the garment is. Also, some highly recommended soaps, like Castille soap, do a fine job.

Are Body Sprays More Concentrated than Perfumes?

No. On the contrary, they’re less concentrated. They still have a chance of lingering on clothes, though.

How Long Does Perfume Smell on Clothes?

It depends on the type of perfume, its quality, and how much was applied. It ranges from a day to a week.

Final Words

If you apply too much perfume or you’ve been using a particular scent for a while, it might be tasked to get the smell out. Especially if the perfume has a strong scent. Ordinary washing just won’t cut it. Here are some tested and tried methods to remove that smell from your clothes –machine wash, hand wash, or dry-clean-only.